The Tennessee Titans drafted several busts from 2020 to 2022. Several of those failures are scattered throughout the league. One of those failed draft picks may be looking at the end of his NFL career as offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was quietly released by the San Francisco 49ers prior to minicamp.
New Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi released Petit-Frere in mid April after signing Dan Moore Jr. to a lucrative four-year contract in free agency. The former Ohio State standout went unsigned for a few weeks before landing with the 49ers in early May. He was signed prior to OTAs.
San Francisco must have been unimpressed. Petit-Frere was on the roster for precisely six OTA practices. He was released on June 3rd, roughly one week prior to mandatory minicamp. The 49ers cut ties with Petit-Frere after signing wide receiver Malik Knowles to their offseason roster.
It's concerning when a young player is waived following a handful of offseason practices. Petit-Frere didn't even make it to San Francisco's minicamp. It's fair to question if Petit-Frere even has a future in the NFL.
49ers could be the last stop for Titans draft bust Nicholas Petit-Frere
Petit-Frere was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft following the Isaiah Wilson and Dillon Radunz miscues at right tackle. Unfortunately, he followed in their footsteps. Petit-Frere was abysmal last season, allowing 10 sacks despite playing just 614 snaps at right tackle. Discipline was another issue altogether as he was also whistled for 10 penalties.
It was a horrid follow-up to a sophomore 2023 campaign that saw Petit-Frere suspended multiple games for violating the league's gambling policy. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury upon his return. Petit-Frere couldn't get it right on or off the field.
That's why the Titans waived Petit-Frere earlier this offseason even though he remained on an affordable rookie contract. There's lots of competition, but Petit-Frere will go down as one of the most disappointing Titans draft picks in recent history. His NFL career could already be over.